How much sun does Pennywort need?

Pennywort grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Pennywort bloom?

Pennywort blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Pennywort native?

Pennywort (Obolaria virginica) is native to AL, AR, DE, FL and 17 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Pennywort HOA-friendly?

Pennywort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pennywort

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Obolaria virginica

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Pennywort (Obolaria virginica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

3"–6" H × 2"–4" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 17 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Piedmont Northeastern Highlands Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Pennywort is a rare, diminutive native wildflower that grows as a small groundcover in shaded woodland areas. This unusual plant produces tiny white to purplish flowers in early spring and has a parasitic relationship with tree roots, making it challenging to cultivate outside its natural habitat.

In an HOA neighborhood

Pennywort takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small and inconspicuous appearance
Very difficult to establish and maintain
May appear absent or dead for long periods

Wildlife value

Due to its rarity and specialized growing requirements, this plant has limited documented wildlife value in typical garden settings.

Common questions

How much sun does Pennywort need?: Pennywort grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Pennywort bloom?: Pennywort blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Pennywort native?: Pennywort (Obolaria virginica) is native to AL, AR, DE, FL and 17 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Pennywort HOA-friendly?: Pennywort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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